Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the Sorento Hybrid.

Both the CX-9 and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-9 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Hybrid last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

The CX-9’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sorento Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (250 vs. 227) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the Sorento Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

The CX-9 has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Hybrid (19.5 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-9 stops shorter than the Sorento Hybrid:

For better traction, the CX-9 has larger tires than the Sorento Hybrid (255/60R18 vs. 235/65R17).

The CX-9 Touring’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Sorento Hybrid’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-9 Touring has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sorento Hybrid. The CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Sorento Hybrid.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the Sorento Hybrid (115.3 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the Sorento Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Sorento Hybrid EX (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a 1.95 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (8.8 vs. 6.85 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-9 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Sorento Hybrid can only carry 6.

The CX-9 has 29.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (135.1 vs. 105.3).

The CX-9 has 1.1 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more rear hip room, .1 inches more third row legroom and .1 inches more third row shoulder room than the Sorento Hybrid.

The CX-9’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sorento Hybrid.

The CX-9’s cargo area is larger than the Sorento Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-9’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sorento Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The CX-9 Grand Touring/Signature has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-9’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the CX-9’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-9’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sorento Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the CX-9 and the Sorento Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-9 and the Kia Sorento Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.